Leapster Explorer Framebuffer Driver
Contents
Overview
These the steps to enable the Linux framebuffer for both Didj and Explorer on the updated Explorer kernel (2.6.31).
They involve modifications to the kernel's configuration file to enable the framebuffer (and disable the existing DPC and MLC drivers), minor patches to a few of the existing kernel files, and the replacement of the new kernel's lf1000fb framebuffer driver with a working modified version.
Note: The stock 'Brio' application environment will no longer be available on your device once you perform this modification.
Prerequisites
Cross compiler environment. For example:
If you havent yet built a kernel config file, you can use the default config as a basis to build this driver.
make lf1000_ts_defconfig
If you are building this driver for Didj, you must first follow these instructions: Didj_Explorer_Kernel
Building the Framebuffer Driver
1.Modify the Kernel configuration.
The following items must be listed in 'lf1000 devices':
# CONFIG_LF1000_DPC is not set
# CONFIG_LF1000_MLC is not set
The following items must be listed in 'character devices':
CONFIG_VT=y
CONFIG_CONSOLE_TRANSLATIONS=y
CONFIG_VT_CONSOLE=y
CONFIG_HW_CONSOLE=y
The following items must be listed in 'graphics support':
CONFIG_FB=y
CONFIG_FB_CFB_FILLRECT=y
CONFIG_FB_CFB_COPYAREA=y
CONFIG_FB_CFB_IMAGEBLIT=y
CONFIG_FB_LF1000=y
The following items must be listed in 'display device support':
#CONFIG_VGA_CONSOLE is not set
CONFIG_DUMMY_CONSOLE=y
CONFIG_FRAMEBUFFER_CONSOLE=y
CONFIG_FONTS=y
CONFIG_FONT_8x8=y
CONFIG_FONT_MINI_4x6=y
CONFIG_LOGO=y
CONFIG_LOGO_LINUX_MONO=y
CONFIG_LOGO_LINUX_VGA16=y
CONFIG_LOGO_LINUX_CLUT224=y
2.Modify arch/arm/mach-lf1000/core.c and drivers/input/keyboard/lf1000-keypad.c
To enable the fb driver to register, and to remove error-causing references to LCD backlighting, apply the following patches.
File:Core.c.diff (this one not needed when building LF-Linux-8291-20101026-1425 kernel)
# patch arch/arm/mach-lf1000/core.c < Core.c.diff
# patch drivers/input/keyboard/lf1000-keypad.c < Lf1000-keypad.c.diff
3.Grab the lf1000fb driver from the github repository.
(Rather than incorporate the driver changes into a patch, the code is checked into github to facilitate improvements. If you have improvements or fixes, please contribute them!)
4.Replace the current drivers/video/lf1000fb.c file with the file from the repository.
5.Compile the kernel.
LF-Linux-6905-20100610-0915/linux2.6# make
6.Transfer the kernel to your device.
- Boot Didj from UART Connection - Linux (or if so-equipped use an SD card)
7.On the device, check to see that the lf1000fb driver loaded by
dmesg | grep lf1000fb
8.On the device, Look for /dev/fb0.
ls /dev/fb*
9.If it is not present on the device, create the framebuffer device entry.
mdev -s
10.Reboot
You should see a picture of tux in the upper left corner of the display
Where to go from here
The Linux framebuffer driver enables you to use a wide variety of packages designed to work with it.
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to zucchini for his valuable help and input, as well as to Claude, GrizzlyAdams, jburks, jkent, losinggeneration, MostAwesomeDude, NullMoogleCable, PhilKll, prpplague, ReggieUK, and everyone on #Didj (irc.freenode.org).
